Recently, the anime adaptation of “ Blue
Archive ” concluded its broadcast with a total of 12
episodes. In an exclusive interview, Kim Yong-ha , the
production director of the franchise, shared his thoughts and experiences about
the transition from the game to the anime.
- Q:
All 12 episodes of the “Blue Archive” anime were recently broadcast. What
feelings does it make you see your game turned into an anime?
- Kim
Yong-ha: Of course, it is a unique
experience for me. Since I was a child I have grown up watching Japanese
manga and anime on television. Although we didn't develop the game with
the goal of turning it into an anime, it was definitely something special
and I had high expectations for it.
- When
the first episode aired, I prepared in advance of the broadcast time in
Japan and prayed that everything would go well. The moment the opening
song started playing was so emotional that I captured it in photos and
videos.
- I
think the production and broadcast of the anime had important meaning
because it was completed without a hitch. I consider that it was a crucial
point for “Blue Archive” to grow as an IP loved by more people. Although,
I must admit that there were differences between our expectations and
reality in the production of the anime.
- Q:
Speaking of those differences, was there any part of the anime that
particularly impressed you?
- Kim
Yong-ha: The opening animation was
definitely fantastic. I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved
for their dedication.
- Regarding
the content of the anime, a scene that I especially remember is the one in
episode 11 with Iori and Sensei. (laughs) It was a scene that worried us a
lot and that we worked on until the last moment. I am happy that it
received a good response after it was broadcast.
- Q:
Have you been closely monitoring user opinions on anime?
- Kim
Yong-ha: Of course, I have paid close
attention to the opinions of our valued “teachers.” I have seen with
interest how many enjoyed the anime in real time and created various
“memes”. (laughs)
- The
voices of the Sensei are all valuable and must be heard. Personally, I
share many of your feelings about anime.
- Q:
Although there have been good reactions, there have also been comments
that the quality could have been better. What do you think about it?
- Kim
Yong-ha: As the creators of the game,
we also feel that we could have given more feedback in various areas and
prepared more time. We know the game development process well, but anime
production was new to us, and that affected our overall understanding of
the process.
- There
were times when we hesitated about when and how to give our opinion due to
tight deadlines and the need to respect certain areas of production. If
another opportunity arises, we would like to apply the lessons learned and
the Sensei's feedback, and proceed with sufficient preparation time.
- Q:
There are still many stories from “Blue Archive” that haven't been addressed
in the anime. Are there plans for a sequel?
- Kim
Yong-ha: For now, it is premature to
talk about concrete plans. As I mentioned, if we move forward with a
future project, we need proper preparation. The quality of the opening
video was achieved thanks to a long period of preparation and effort. I
think this is crucial to creating a good anime.
- What
is certain is that, if the next opportunity presents itself, I will ensure
that the result is satisfactory and lives up to our expectations.
The interview with Kim Yong-ha reveals the deep
connection and care that the “Blue Archive” team puts into
their work, from the development of the game to the anime adaptation. Despite
the challenges and differences between vision and reality in anime
production, the team is committed to continuous improvement and active
listening to their fans.
The possibility of future anime
adaptations of “Blue Archive” depends on meticulous preparation and a clear
understanding of the process. Fans can be
assured that, given the opportunity, the team will work hard to exceed
expectations and deliver an even more satisfying experience.
Source: THISIS GAME
